More proof that bassists are invisible.

bassman1185 · #1 11-12-2008, 09:41 AM

My band had a show last night with some other local hardcore bands. Right now there are just four of us in the band, and I like to think that I hold my own for stage presence, but maybe I'll need to reconsider that.

After we were done, I was standing and talking with the guitarist and lead singer when this girl runs up to the two of them and starts gushing: "Oh my gosh, you guys are in Calvary? You guys were so good! I'm going to add you on myspace when I get home tonight!"

Now, this whole time, I'm standing RIGHT next to her. I was just going to see if she would even aknowledge that I was there or that I was in the band. Finally, our singer said "You know, Zeb here is in the band too." The girl seemed mortified that she didn't register that I was in the band, but it was a good laugh.

dougjwray · #2 11-12-2008, 09:57 AM

A variation: You're packed up and heading out the door with case in hand and someone says, "Are you playing tonight?" You say, "Actually, I just got done." "Really? You guys were great..."

kesslari · #3 11-12-2008, 10:06 AM

Learn to sing...

nemo · #4 11-12-2008, 10:14 AM

+1, you'll become a singer with funny oversized guitar.

Willy2911 · #5 11-12-2008, 10:16 AM

Yup - That sucks man... I think it has prolly happend to us all though.

WalterBush · #6 11-12-2008, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemo

+1, you'll become a singer with funny oversized guitar.

Nope, just the singer. They don't register the funny oversized guitar.

Stage presence doesn't matter, IME. I could be swinging upside down from the rafters a la the Evenflow video, and if I'm wearing a bass, I just became wallpaper.

Kink Rimson · #7 11-12-2008, 10:31 AM

Never happened to me... But then again, I am about 3 foot taller than anyone else in the band.

That's exactly what always happens to our drummer though. It's become a bit of a running joke. He's recently taken to wearing loud cowboy shirts. He's currently known as 'Woody'.

fretlessman71 · #8 11-12-2008, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Willy2911

Yup - That sucks man... I think it has prolly happend to us all though.

Personally, I don't think it sucks at all - the anonymity of being a bassist is one of the things I PREFER. Even in a duo gig few people notice me, which is fine. (Being in a duo with a six foot hot blonde pianist/singer doesn't hurt, either.

)

I was never cut out to be the frontman at all - never wanted the attention past the age of 18 or so. Very happy just to hold down the bottom end and make everyone else look good.

NKUSigEp · #9 11-12-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kesslari

Learn to sing...

+1 LOL Reviews will go something like "_(you)_, the lead singer of ____ band, was awesome. The guitarist ____ and drummer were really cool too!". What, no bass?

bassman1185 · #10 11-12-2008, 10:45 AM

I'm not going to start doing anything more than occasional background vocals or awkward stage banter any time soon.

I'm really ok with being relatively anonymous. I'm married, so it's not like I'm looking for some groupie to hook up with. It is nice to receive compliments, but I'm not playing so that people will give me glory. I usually get some recognition from the other bands that are playing, and that's more than enough for me.

john_chimpo31 · #11 11-12-2008, 10:46 AM

Years ago I played in a Southern Rock band that opened up for the Marshall Tucker Band. As I left the stage with my bass in my hand I saw a woman that I knew from work. She had just seen our show but when she saw me she didn't realize I was in the band. I'm 6'6" tall and 350 lbs so I think she saw me. Bass guitar is like Harry Potter's invisible cloak.

Surly · #12 11-12-2008, 10:49 AM

Never happened to Travis Barker or Pete Wenz

kenlacam · #13 11-12-2008, 10:54 AM

It is funny how the bass impacts the overall sound, but no one really pays any attention to the bassist, no matter how good you are. But I play to make the overall sound better, not for recognition. If I wanted to be recognized, I would've picked up the lead guitar instead....

60bass · #14 11-12-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassman1185

My band had a show last night with some other local hardcore bands. Right now there are just four of us in the band, and I like to think that I hold my own for stage presence, but maybe I'll need to reconsider that.

After we were done, I was standing and talking with the guitarist and lead singer when this girl runs up to the two of them and starts gushing: "Oh my gosh, you guys are in Calvary? You guys were so good! I'm going to add you on myspace when I get home tonight!"

Now, this whole time, I'm standing RIGHT next to her. I was just going to see if she would even aknowledge that I was there or that I was in the band. Finally, our singer said "You know, Zeb here is in the band too." The girl seemed mortified that she didn't register that I was in the band, but it was a good laugh.

Welcome to the world of the bassist

Unless you're the front man who also just happens to play bass, this is the world we bassist's exist in. If you want to be noticed, walk up front, make eye contact, and smile. If there are people dancing, trust me they will see you if you see them. Whether or not they come up to you on break or after and compliment you is another thing entirely.

When I did extensive road work in the club scene, I used to play a game just to keep me from getting bored from the same old bars and the same old songs. On breaks, I'd just hang out in the bar and wait for someone to ask me if I was in the band? I'd look them straight in the eye and tell them that my job was in the entertainment industry and that I was the actor who played "Woodsy Owl" in the TV commercials for the US Forest Service. It never ceased to amaze me how many times somebody would reply "hey, I've seen those commercials on TV, so that's you huh?" I even had some chick ask for my autograph once. She got mad when I busted out LMAO and walked away. Smokey The Bear was another one I used.

Seriously, get up there and connect with your audience. They ALL wish they could be you up there under the lights and having fun. Look at them, smile and invite them to share your world. The singer or lead guitar player might get all the glory but guess what........

You ARE the one who gets that thumpin beat goin and makes them get up off their butts and hit the floor. The bass is the mover and shaker for the band. Without it there is nothing.

Keep low and have fun.

Ezbass · #15 11-12-2008, 11:01 AM

At my last gig I sat down with my wife during the break, the guy next to us leans over and asks "what do you think of the band?". Classic.

Captain_Arrrg · #16 11-12-2008, 11:07 AM

I too think it interesting that despite the prevalence of bass in almost all forms of music, that people are somehow conditioned to believe it doesn't matter.

But +1 to anonymity. That's why I stick too session work for my buddy (No I suck, he owns the studio so advantage me.) and the occasional fill-in. All I really want to do is play my bass.

peterwsmith · #17 11-12-2008, 11:08 AM

It's really strange, but it's actually the opposite for me and I don't sing at all. It seems like I get most of the attention after a gig, which isn't even something I want.

I guess the fact that I'm twice as active as everyone else on stage might play a part too.

Surly · #18 11-12-2008, 11:19 AM

It's not you, it's the drunk people in your audience at a dark smokey club.

dougjwray · #19 11-12-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ezbass

At my last gig I sat down with my wife during the break, the guy next to us leans over and asks "what do you think of the band?". Classic.

I hope you replied, "They're okay, but the bass player is fantastic!"

ashtray · #20 11-12-2008, 11:26 AM

I always feel like I'm going to get tackled by the bar tender when I order a drink during a break, and walk away without paying for it. (typically just a soda) I got tired of explaining I was in the band...

(ok, in the bar tender's defense, he is working while we're playing, and probably doesn't have the chance to look up to check out the band much)

I've actually had the reverse of invisibility - at a break once, I had a guy mention to me he liked the runs I was doing in one particular song! Yikes! Someone was actually paying attention to the bass?! hahaha